Emerging from the vibrant music scene of Knoxville, Tennessee, 10 Years established themselves as a potent force in the alternative metal landscape, known for their introspective lyrics and dynamic, heavy sound. Formed in 1999, the band's original lineup featured vocalist Mike Underdown, guitarist Ryan "Tater" Johnson, bassist Lewis "Big Lew" Cosby, and drummer Brian Vodinh. Their early years were spent honing their craft locally, building a dedicated following that propelled them to self-release their debut album, Into the Half Moon, in 2001.

A significant shift occurred in 2002 with the departure of Underdown and the arrival of new vocalist Jesse Hasek, whose distinctive voice and lyrical depth would become a defining element of the band's identity. This solidified lineup, with Hasek, Johnson, Vodinh, and Cosby, recorded the independent album Killing All That Holds You in 2004. The album's lead single, "Wasteland," garnered substantial radio play, catching the attention of major labels and leading to the band signing with Universal Republic Records. They re-recorded "Wasteland" and other tracks for their major-label debut, The Autumn Effect, released in 2005. "Wasteland" became a breakout hit, dominating rock radio and propelling the album to gold certification, a remarkable achievement that cemented their national fame.

Building on this momentum, 10 Years released their critically and commercially successful sophomore album, Division, in 2008. This record, which spawned the hit singles "Beautiful" and "So Long, Good-Bye," debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and is widely regarded as a career highlight, showcasing their evolved songwriting and cementing their place atop the modern rock world. The band continued a prolific output with Feeding the Wolves (2010) and Minus the Machine (2012), the latter released on their own independent label, Palehorse Records. Throughout the 2010s, they maintained a consistent touring schedule and released further albums including From Birth to Burial (2015) and (How to Live) As Ghosts (2017), the latter marking a return to form and their first album to feature guitarist Matt Wantland as a full-time member.

The band has experienced several lineup changes over their long career, with Vodinh and Johnson remaining the sole constant founding members, and Hasek as the enduring frontman. They have toured extensively with notable acts like Korn, Deftones, and Stone Sour, further solidifying their reputation as a powerful live act. 10 Years continues to create and perform, their music a testament to resilience and artistic evolution within the hard rock genre, consistently delivering the thoughtful aggression that first captivated fans with the timeless anthem "Wasteland."